The grant is part of $16.8 million in competitive grants awarded this week.

USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon said Wholesome Wave’s track record and connection to the community was part of the reason it was awarded the grant. “If you’re not really linked to the local community, success is less likely to occur,” he said.

“We looked for innovative strategies — what’s different in the applications they’re putting forward,” he added.

Skye Cornell, chief programs officer for Wholesome Wave, said the organization decided to partner with grocery stores this time, instead of just farmers markets, as it has done in the past, because it wanted to reach more people.

“That’s where the majority of Americans do their shopping,” she said.

Beginning in August, participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, who spend $10 or more in participating retailers will get a $5 coupon that can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables.

Cornell said although Wholesome Wave is based in Bridgeport, its goal is to provide nutritional opportunities to people across the country. In Hartford, she said 40 percent of children live in poverty and 42 percent of city residents use SNAP benefits to purchase their food.

The organization will partner with two nonprofits, the Hartford Food System and Green Mountain Farm to School in Vermont, and eight local grocery stores, to help an estimated 5,000 people purchase more fresh produce.

The project is expected to trigger more than $900,000 in SNAP and incentive purchases in its first three years.

“These dollars are going to go into the local economy,” Concannon said.